Flight from Ethiopia(CPJ)

However objectionable these conditions were, they got much worse for the press in 2005. In May of that year, contested parliamentary elections led to violent clashes between opposition groups and the ruling EPRDF party. At least 15 journalists were imprisoned on claims of antistate activity for articles that criticized the government’s handling of the civil unrest. Several others were detained on years-old charges and held without bail....more

Increased Threats to Civil Liberties Exacerbate Poor Governance in Ethiopia (Freedom House)

“In the new millennium, Ethiopia must allow civil society, political opposition, and media to not only function but to flourish,” said Daniel Calingaert, deputy director of programs at Freedom House. “It can do so quite simply by amending the draft press and NGO laws to reflect international standards and then adhering to those standards.”....more

Ethiopia angry at proposed U.S. aid sanction(reuter)

The bill, which still needs U.S. Senate approval and a presidential signature, would also deny U.S. entry visas to any Ethiopian government official involved in what it calls human rights violations, unless the president authorized a waiver....more

Ethiopia bill faces Bush backlash (FT)

Known as the Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act, the bill would ban “non essential US assistance” if Ethiopia obstructed US efforts to further human rights, democracy, independence of the judiciary and freedom of the press. It would restrict security assistance and impose travel restrictions on Ethiopian officials accused of human rights violations unless Ethiopia met the conditions – although the legislation would give the president a waiver to prevent such measures from taking force....more

Germany's Merkel kicks off Africa tour with plea for democracy(AFP)

"We are in favour of further openness of the country, of the political system," Merkel said at a joint press conference with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi in Addis Ababa.

"We have the interest to see this society more open and the opposition's rights protected," she said, adding: "The respect of human rights is among the factors very conducive for development."...more

US targets Ethiopia for sanctions (BBC)

The US representatives approved the Ethiopian Democracy and Accountability Act on Tuesday, which puts Ethiopian government officials at risk of being denied entry visas over human rights violations.

It also threatens to withhold military aid of at least $1.5m

Mr Payne said the bill was bipartisan and secured unanimous approval....more

Q & A with President Isaias Afwerki(LA Times)

There is a process of transformation in any society. The political process is part of that social and economic transformation. You may tell me there is a constitutional monarchy here, or elections there, or multiple political parties over there. It's a mockery. It's become fashionable to pretend to be democratic, to pretend to have a constitution and multiparty-system. But those systems undermine all the processes that would lead to participation of the population. It's a matter of providing equal opportunities, not a political document, that guarantees your rights. It's not putting your vote in a ballot box that will guarantee you good living standards....more

A calm voice from embattled Eritrea(IHT)

Democratic or not, there is a certain easygoingness in Asmara, at least on the surface. The streets are spotless, and when Isaias drives through town, it is not in a motorcade with whirling sirens and sunglassed police officers. Instead, there is just one car, a white BMW, and the president rides shotgun....more

Ethiopia and the State of Democracy Hearing House has approved H.R. 2(Nazret)

Lawmakers passed the bill Tuesday on a voice vote.

The measure authorizes $20 million in each of the next two years to promote human rights, democracy and economic development in Ethiopia.

The legislation would also restrict U.S. security assistance and other aid to Ethiopia because of concerns about the country's human rights record.

The Bush administration would still be allowed to provide funds for joint counter-terrorism operations and Ethiopia's participation in peacekeeping missions.

To become law, the bill must win approval from the Senate and be signed by President Bush....more

Letter to Ben on his outrage on Coalition for HR 2003(Ethiomedia)

You see, Mr. Ben, Ethiopia needs principled friends, more so because of the hostile geophysical location in which she finds herself. Whether you like it or not, Congressman Donald Payne and Congressman Chris Smith are illustrious leaders who will be remembered for their sterling contribution to HR 2003. So the activists in the Coalition for HR 2003 are right to say that its approval marked the �Finest day for Ethiopia in US Congress�. The Ethiopian people would have greeted the news joyously out in the streets if the repressive regime would have allowed it. Then, the truth would have come out in the open as to which side enjoys the support of the majority � the vocal few in the Diaspora or the �silent majority� that you are blaming for its inaction. Against the vocal few....more

Congress Should Condition Military Aid to Ethiopia on Human Rights (Huffington Post)

Our government's support for abuses by the Ethiopian government has not received prominent media attention. But advocates for democracy and human rights in Ethiopia have been lobbying Congress. Now we have a chance to change course from a destructive policy in Africa based on the "global war on terror" towards a policy based on democracy and human rights....more

HR 2003 approved unanimously!(Ethiomedia)

All Ethiopians should take this opportunity to thank Congressmen Donald Payne, Chris Smith, Tom Lantos and Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer for their support in getting this legislation passed. When we needed their help, we called upon them . NOW IT IS TIME TO CALL AND SAY: “THANK YOU.”..more

Final action on H.R. 2003 scheduled for Oct. 2 (Ethiopianreview)

H.R. 2003 was referred to the floor on a special House procedure known as “suspension of the rules”. This procedure is used generally to act swiftly on relatively non-controversial legislation. The procedure is set forth in clause 1 of House Rule XV. When a bill or some other matter is considered “under suspension,” floor debate is limited, all floor amendments are prohibited, and a two-thirds vote is required for final passage. The equivalent calendar in the Senate is called the consent calendar...more

Gebrselassie sets marathon record (BBC)

Haile Gebrselassie broke the marathon world record in Berlin on Sunday, posting an official time of two hours, four minutes and 26 seconds....more

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/27/AR2007092700082.html (Washinton Post)

Ethiopia boasts eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites but decades of hunger, conflict and political instability have kept the country and its fabled palaces, obelisks and castles off the beaten track for most visitors to Africa.

Tourism represents a mere 2.5 percent of its gross national product -- something the government is keen to change....more

Ethiopia Legislation Moves Forward in US House of Representatives (VOA)

A key congressional committee has approved legislation supporting democracy and human rights in Ethiopia. VOA's Dan Robinson reports from Capitol Hill, where consideration by the House Foreign Affairs Committee was marked by some disagreement over how best to help bring about change in Ethiopia....more

-VP of Kinijit Birtukan Mideksa Speech - VIDEO

Open Letter to the Kinijit or CUDP LeadersAnuak Justice Council

September 22, 2007 - Dear Chairman Mr. Hailu Shawel and Executive Members of the Kinijit: I am calling on you Kinijit leaders to reconcile within Kinijit and then to reach out to others. I ask the Kinijit leaders to do this for the sake of those who lost their loved ones whose killers still walk free, for those begging on the streets, for the young child who is selling her body on the street because she has nothing to eat, for the sake of the Ethiopians who are burying their dead children because of water-born diseases, for the sake of the Ethiopian children who are raising their siblings because their parents have been taken away from HIV/AIDS. (pdf) read...

Winners don't falter at faulty moments (Ethiomedia)

This is the time for realizing the dreams of our people. This is the time for beefing up one�s organizational, material, human and financial capabilities. In fact, CUD should reach out to all concerned Ethiopian organizations and build up the ingredients for national reconciliation. It should do this to all, including the EPRDF, and invite participation in charting consensus on the future of Ethiopia.

The ENC urges all concerned, leaders, members or supporters inside and outside CUD to:

• Immediately cease directly or indirectly airing the differences within CUD.
• Set up an independent and ad-hoc committee that can mediate and recommend binding solutions to both It is time for all concerned, especially a popular opposition party, to work hard to build up national consensus to shape the future political directions of Ethiopia. CUD should realize that falling out over manageable internal administration and politics is bound to disillusion members and supporters. The public expects popular opposition parties to remain united, overcome controversies, and deliver firm leadership. No one has the stomach for yet another round of in-fighting, in yet another Ethiopian political movement. To allow division within the party by failing to compromise over internal differences is in nobody�s interest. Apart from causing public withdrawal from political engagement nationally, such behaviour presages the dangerous postponement of the date for realizing democracy in our country....more

Kinijit delegation issues a statement 9ethiopian Review0

Sep 22, 2007

The Kinijit delegation that is currently on a working visit in the U.S. has issued this statement today [Amharic, pdf]